Proof That Your Foreign Language Vocabulary Probably Stinks — Take This Quiz!
Proof That Your Foreign Language Vocabulary Probably Stinks — Take This Quiz!
Monroe Mann
Published On: Oct 23, 2024
Editor’s Note: On all blog posts, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).
Name: Monroe Mann Break Diving Level: Level 1 Number of Certified Dives: 15 From: United States In: United States
Monroe Mann speaks English, French, Chinese, and some Italian/German/Spanish
Here at the Break Diving Fluency Project, we recognize what most language schools do not: one of the biggest reasons you can’t fully communicate in the foreign language you are studying is because you have a terrible level of vocabulary–wholly deficient.
Do you honestly believe that your foreign language vocabulary is already top notch? I am about to prove that it is probably not.
Don’t believe me?
Quick, translate the following 25 words into your target foreign language:
--muffler
--tailpipe
--computer
--mouse
--palm tree
--warrant
--stapler
--oxygen
--nitrogen
--harmonica
--saxophone
--hip hop
--ballerina
--blog
--night club
--tourist
--visa
--jump rope
--jumping jacks
--push ups
--soda
--cooking
--strainer
--spatula
--energy bar
--skateboard
--physics
--chemistry
Are you surprised with how many you got wrong? I bet you are. Even if you only got one wrong, then that still is proof that you don’t know as much as you think you do.
And yet, there is nothing special about these words–they are all words that a fluent English speaker already knows, and knows instantaneously. They are almost childlike words to a native English speaker, and child-like words to most people with a foreign tongue too (in their native tongue). And yet, to most foreign language learners who think they speak the language really well–these words are not just ‘hard’–they are words that were never learned in traditional school or language study books. Or not learned enough to be added to long-term memory.
In other words, no matter whatever you current language level, you probably need to learn another 2,000 – 3,000 words and phrases to really see a big jump in your language skills.
I hope now will come to grips with the fact that your vocabulary stinks, and that you need to learn more. And get this: those 25 words above were just NOUNS! How about verbs? Adjectives? Adverbs? Phrases? Slang?
I hope I am making it clear that if you really want to become fluent in a foreign language, you need to GET OFF YOUR BUTT and really work. Really study. Not occasionally! You need to put together a clear and focused plan to augment your vocabulary!
Agreed? If so, the next question is: so how to do it?
You need a custom course of study of words and phrases that you do not already know! Seems pretty obvious, right? If so, then why do 95% of language learners not do it. Answer: they are not serious about becoming fluent.
Are YOU serious about truly becoming fluent?
If so, what we recommend here at Break Diving and The Fluency Project is to cherry pick your vocabulary, and from multiple sources. Where do Fluency Project students get theirs from? Everywhere:
--Novels
--History books
--Magazines
--Internet
--Dictionaries
--Vocab Builder Books
But the key is: don’t study the vocab words you already know! You need to focus on finding sources of words and phrases that will push the boundaries of your vocabulary. I honestly believe that one of the biggest reasons people don’t really progress with their languages skills is because they study the same basic words over and over, or worse, just don’t take the time to force new vocab into their brain on a regular basis. Or, if they do, they then fail to assimilate that vocabulary by not using the new vocabulary on a regular basis.
Many come up to me too and say, “But I don’t care about mufflers and dashboards–I’m not a car person!” Or “I don’t need to learn the elements like oxygen and nitrogen–I’m not trying to become a scientist!”
My response: it doesn’t matter. The question is: do you want to become fluent? If so, then you need to learn about cars, and about science, and about computers, and about the military, and war, and peace, and cherry blossoms! Because these are all basic words that any native speaker knows! These are not ‘specialist’ words. Heck, I don’t really even know exactly what ‘nuclear fission’, ‘boron’, or ‘rhododendrons’ are, but these are still not specialist words. Why not? Because I can recognize them, even if I can’t really explain them.
So what to do? EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY! A LOT!
How?
Start reading. A lot.Underline and look up all words you don’t know. Keep those words in a journal.Buy vocab builder books and study the words you don’t know. Add them to your journal too. Most importantly, don’t just look at them–study them, and use them! If not daily, at least three times per week!
Take note: if you want to do all this on your own, you can! Buuuut… if you want to turbo-charge your language skills through friendly and encouraging peer pressure and motivation from others, then consider our Fluency Project Program. Your vocabulary is guaranteed to grow by hundreds of words in just one month. Best part: you will meet and interact with others from around the world learning your target language too, making international friends in our online classroom! Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
We here at The Fluency Project wish you the greatest of foreign language mastery success, whether you choose to study with us, or by your lonesome! We do, however, think you’ll have a lot more fun and success doing it with us. 🙂 So get in touch!
Break Diving, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Read all about our amazing mission at www.BreakDiving.org
Join our free community at www.breakdiving.io
Like what we do? Please make a feel-good donation!
Remember to tell your friends about this www.BreakDiving.blog
Share this:
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Do you honestly believe that your foreign language vocabulary is already top notch? I am about to prove that it is probably not.
Don’t believe me?
Quick, translate the following 25 words into your target foreign language:
--muffler
--tailpipe
--computer
--mouse
--palm tree
--warrant
--stapler
--oxygen
--nitrogen
--harmonica
--saxophone
--hip hop
--ballerina
--blog
--night club
--tourist
--visa
--jump rope
--jumping jacks
--push ups
--soda
--cooking
--strainer
--spatula
--energy bar
--skateboard
--physics
--chemistry
Are you surprised with how many you got wrong? I bet you are. Even if you only got one wrong, then that still is proof that you don’t know as much as you think you do.
And yet, there is nothing special about these words–they are all words that a fluent English speaker already knows, and knows instantaneously. They are almost childlike words to a native English speaker, and child-like words to most people with a foreign tongue too (in their native tongue). And yet, to most foreign language learners who think they speak the language really well–these words are not just ‘hard’–they are words that were never learned in traditional school or language study books. Or not learned enough to be added to long-term memory.
In other words, no matter whatever you current language level, you probably need to learn another 2,000 – 3,000 words and phrases to really see a big jump in your language skills.
I hope now will come to grips with the fact that your vocabulary stinks, and that you need to learn more. And get this: those 25 words above were just NOUNS! How about verbs? Adjectives? Adverbs? Phrases? Slang?
I hope I am making it clear that if you really want to become fluent in a foreign language, you need to GET OFF YOUR BUTT and really work. Really study. Not occasionally! You need to put together a clear and focused plan to augment your vocabulary!
Agreed? If so, the next question is: so how to do it?
You need a custom course of study of words and phrases that you do not already know! Seems pretty obvious, right? If so, then why do 95% of language learners not do it. Answer: they are not serious about becoming fluent.
Are YOU serious about truly becoming fluent?
If so, what we recommend here at Break Diving and The Fluency Project is to cherry pick your vocabulary, and from multiple sources. Where do Fluency Project students get theirs from? Everywhere:
--Novels
--History books
--Magazines
--Internet
--Dictionaries
--Vocab Builder Books
But the key is: don’t study the vocab words you already know! You need to focus on finding sources of words and phrases that will push the boundaries of your vocabulary. I honestly believe that one of the biggest reasons people don’t really progress with their languages skills is because they study the same basic words over and over, or worse, just don’t take the time to force new vocab into their brain on a regular basis. Or, if they do, they then fail to assimilate that vocabulary by not using the new vocabulary on a regular basis.
Many come up to me too and say, “But I don’t care about mufflers and dashboards–I’m not a car person!” Or “I don’t need to learn the elements like oxygen and nitrogen–I’m not trying to become a scientist!”
My response: it doesn’t matter. The question is: do you want to become fluent? If so, then you need to learn about cars, and about science, and about computers, and about the military, and war, and peace, and cherry blossoms! Because these are all basic words that any native speaker knows! These are not ‘specialist’ words. Heck, I don’t really even know exactly what ‘nuclear fission’, ‘boron’, or ‘rhododendrons’ are, but these are still not specialist words. Why not? Because I can recognize them, even if I can’t really explain them.
So what to do? EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY! A LOT!
How?
Start reading. A lot.Underline and look up all words you don’t know. Keep those words in a journal.Buy vocab builder books and study the words you don’t know. Add them to your journal too. Most importantly, don’t just look at them–study them, and use them! If not daily, at least three times per week!
Take note: if you want to do all this on your own, you can! Buuuut… if you want to turbo-charge your language skills through friendly and encouraging peer pressure and motivation from others, then consider our Fluency Project Program. Your vocabulary is guaranteed to grow by hundreds of words in just one month. Best part: you will meet and interact with others from around the world learning your target language too, making international friends in our online classroom! Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
We here at The Fluency Project wish you the greatest of foreign language mastery success, whether you choose to study with us, or by your lonesome! We do, however, think you’ll have a lot more fun and success doing it with us. 🙂 So get in touch!
Break Diving, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Read all about our amazing mission at www.BreakDiving.org
Join our free community at www.breakdiving.io
Like what we do? Please make a feel-good donation!
Remember to tell your friends about this www.BreakDiving.blog
Share this: